ENGL 1105 - Introduction to Film Studies

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2021

This course provides an introduction to the analysis of narrative films. The course explores a range of aspects of film, including in-depth study of techniques, a key director and a key genre.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code ENGL 1105
    Course Introduction to Film Studies
    Coordinating Unit English, Creative Writing, and Film
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Assessment Knowledge task (10%), analysis task (30%), sources and writing task (60%)
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Joy McEntee

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

    1. Demonstrate an understanding of key terms and concepts in film studies

    2. Analyse a range of significant films in relation to key questions in film studies

    3. Read and interpret criticism and apply it within an academic argument and/or engage in critical argument

    4. Locate, access and apply relevant primary and secondary sources to the study of films, directors and genres

    5. Write logical and coherent arguments in essays and other assessments

    6. Use contemporary technologies relevant to the completion of assessment tasks





    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1,2,5
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    2,3,5,6
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    6
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    6
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    6
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Provisional. 

    Films: 

    Moonlight (Barry Jenkins, 2016)
    The Third Man (Carol Reed, 1949)
    Battleship Potemkin (Sergei Eisenstein, 1925)
    Breathless (Jean Luc Godard, 1960)
    Shadow of a Doubt (Alfred Hitchcock, 1943)
    Rear Window (Alfred Hitchcock, 1954)
    Psycho (Alfred Hitchcock, 1960)

    The Birds (Alfred Hitchcock, 1963)
    Ghost in the Shell (Mamoru Oshii, 1995)
    Under the Skin (Jonathan Glazer, 2013)
    Upstream Color (Shane Carrruth, 2013)
    Children of Men (Alfonso Cuaron, 2006)

    Students will be expected to access films through iTunes, Google Play, Mubi, Prime Video or other streaming services. It is recommended that students buy films on which they plan to write for assessment, so they have access for repeated viewing. 



    Recommended Resources


    Online Learning
    This course will use MyUni, Echo360 and other resources to be announced.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Lectures will be pre-recorded and distributed through MyUni.
    Seminars will be held face-to-face to enable the screening of clips. 
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    156 hours per semester
    Learning Activities Summary
    Classes will comprise pre-recorded lectures (1 x per week) and 1 x 2 hour seminars per week. 
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Item Summative/formative weighting words course learning outcome
    Key concepts quiz Summative 10% 600 words equivalent 1,6
    Essay: auteur study Formative and summative 40% 1000 words 1,2,3,4,5,6,
    Take home exam Summative 50% 2000 words 1,2,3,4,5,6



    Assessment Detail

    1. Key concepts quiz. 600 words equivalent. Timing to give students an indication of where they are placed by the HECS census date. 10%
    2. Essay: auteur study. 1000 words.  Students will perform an analysis of a selection of films from the auteur studied in the course. 40%.
    3. Take home exam.  2000 words. Students be able to demonstrate knowledge of a key genre studied in the course, and reflect on the course generally. 50%
    Submission

    No information currently available.

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
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